Environmental Specialist Jobs in Minnesota
Environmental Specialist jobs in Minnesota concentrate heavily in industrial compliance, water quality management, and remediation work, driven by the state's active mining sector on the Iron Range, extensive agricultural operations, and major manufacturing corridor. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Duluth, and Rochester account for most openings, with employers like 3M, Xcel Energy, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency maintaining consistent demand. Remediation project management, stormwater permitting, and environmental impact assessment are the specialties that appear most often in Minnesota listings. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Environmental Compliance Specialist I
$58,000 - $72,000 | Hybrid with in person reporting to Duluth, MN
Make a meaningful impact on environmental stewardship while helping deliver safe, reliable water and wastewater services to the communities we serve.
What You'll Do:
-
Perform environmental engineering and compliance activities supporting water quality, wastewater, waste management, and related environmental programs.
Conduct data entry, review, analysis, studies, testing, inspections, audits, and regulatory evaluations. - Assist with environmental permitting, compliance monitoring, reporting, recordkeeping, and administrative assignments.
- Interpret existing and emerging environmental regulations to assess impacts and support ongoing compliance efforts.
- Participate in the Company’s Environmental Management System (EMS) and coordinate information within the Environmental Management Information System (EMIS).
- Help ensure operations comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations, permits, and internal procedures.
- Support reliable, cost-effective service through sound environmental practices and efficient compliance management.
What You'll Bring:
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Valid driver's license and ability to maintain it.
How To Stand Out:
- Degree focus in environmental science, engineering, biology, natural/physical science, physics or equivalent.
- Experience with electric utility environmental regulations and compliance.
- Excellent computer, data management, and writing skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to establish and maintain positive internal and external working relationships.
About Us:
Minnesota Power, an ALLETE company, is an electric utility headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota. We provide electricity in a 26,000-square-mile service area in northeastern Minnesota to 150,000 customers, including 14 municipal systems and some of the nation’s largest industrial customers. Minnesota Power is committed to a sustainable future for the climate, our customers and our communities while delivering safe and reliable energy. We play a unique and significant role in ALLETE’s sustainability-in-action strategy. Our culture drives excellence through our shared values of integrity, safety, people, and the planet.
The expected annual compensation range for this position is $58,000 - $72,000. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will vary depending on relevant knowledge, skills, training, and experience. Additionally, this position qualifies for a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Incentive Program
- Retirement Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision Plan
- Health Savings Account & Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life Insurance, Disability & Voluntary Benefits
- Paid Time Off
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Community Engagement, and more.
This position may be subject to assessment of skills, job match and/or aptitude.
Employer will not sponsor Visas for position.
External applicants must apply online via www.allete.com/careers.
ALLETE is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on business need without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other status otherwise protected by law.
If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, please contact our Human Resources department at 218-723-3921.
EEO/AA/F/M/Vet/Disabled
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Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Environmental Specialist Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in environmental specialist jobs across Minnesota.
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science, natural resources, or a closely related field
- Familiarity with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency regulations and permit compliance requirements
- Experience conducting Phase I or Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
- Proficiency with GIS software and environmental data collection in field conditions
- Knowledge of stormwater management plans and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting
- Strong technical writing skills for preparing environmental reports and regulatory submissions
Environmental Specialist Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a environmental specialist in Minnesota?
Most Minnesota environmental specialist positions require a bachelor's degree in environmental science, ecology, geology, or a related field. While Minnesota does not mandate a single state license for the broad title, many roles in contaminated site work require a Professional Engineer or Licensed Professional Geologist credential issued through the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Geoscience, Landscape Architecture and Interior Design. Certifications like the National Registry of Environmental Professionals' REM designation strengthen candidacy considerably.
How much do environmental specialists make in Minnesota?
Environmental specialists in Minnesota earn a median of about $88,000 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $35,510 for the lowest 10% to over $133,570 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire environmental specialists in Minnesota?
Companies currently hiring environmental specialists in Minnesota include civil, Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital, and 3M, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Minnesota's mix of heavy industry, regulated utilities, and state agency oversight means both private consulting firms and large institutional employers maintain steady environmental specialist headcount throughout the year.
Which Minnesota cities have the most environmental specialist jobs?
Minnesota, Minneapolis, and Duluth account for the largest share of environmental specialist openings in Minnesota. The Twin Cities metro drives the majority of listings through its dense concentration of corporate headquarters, engineering consulting firms, and state agency offices, while Duluth and the surrounding Iron Range region generate consistent demand tied to mining operations, Great Lakes water quality programs, and remediation projects.
Are there remote environmental specialist jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, but they're rare. Environmental specialist work is largely field-based, requiring on-site sampling, site inspections, and in-person regulatory coordination. About 14% of environmental specialist openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to be in data analysis, report writing, and regulatory compliance review rather than hands-on field or remediation roles.
How can I get hired as a environmental specialist in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an environmental field technician or environmental scientist I position, which large Minnesota consulting firms and state agencies regularly fill with recent graduates. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and firms serving the Iron Range mining industry run structured entry-level programs that build field sampling and permitting skills. A GIS certificate, completed coursework in wetlands or water resources, or documented volunteer fieldwork with a Minnesota watershed district gives candidates a measurable edge over other new applicants.
Where can I find and apply to environmental specialist jobs in Minnesota?
You can find and apply to environmental specialist jobs in Minnesota on Migrate Mate, which lists current Minnesota openings updated regularly. Search roles by city or specialty, review the requirements, and apply directly to the positions that match your background and experience level.
See All 26 Environmental Specialist Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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